Lebanon Sees COVID-19 Surge with 2,094 Cases, 13 Deaths

By Staff, Agencies

Lebanon witnessed a jump in coronavirus cases Wednesday, registering 2,084 new infections and 13 deaths, as a countrywide lockdown remains in effect.

Of the new cases, 10 were found among incoming travelers from abroad. There have been a total of 852 deaths since February when the virus was first detected in the country.

According to the Health Ministry, a total of 13,065 PCR tests were administered in the last 24 hours. The positivity rate of the tests in the last two weeks stood at 15.2 percent.

There are currently 327 people in a critical condition.

Lebanon confirmed 1,507 cases Tuesday. Daily cases have exceeded the 1,000 mark over the last month. Authorities implemented a total lockdown Saturday to try and bring down these dangerous numbers and provide the health sector the opportunity to recuperate.

Only five days into the lockdown, the numbers have yet to ease, rather showing a significant spikeand crossing the 2,000 mark Wednesday.

Many residents have defied lockdown measures over the last few days, a stark contrast to the first round of lockdown measures back in March when streets were empty. The Internal Security Forces Wednesday reported that it had issued over 14,000 fines since the lockdown was implemented Saturday morning.

The Health Minister warned last week that if people do not adhere to the lockdown measures properly they risked facing an extension to the lockdown currently set until Nov. 30

Meanwhile the ISF also revealed that the country’s largest prison had registered 549 coronavirus cases among inmates.

Roumieh prison houses more than 3,000 prisoners, with cells holding triple their capacity, and has long been infamous for the poor conditions in some of its blocks. There is also poor health care and little medicine available for prisoners.

Prisoners had rioted in September when COVID-19 cases were detected among them, asking to be released and for better health care and prison conditions.

Outside prisons, people are also protesting, but against the full lockdown. A small protest was held in front of the Interior Ministry Wednesday against the lockdown, deeming it unfair that some sectors had been exempted from closure this time around while others were suffering losses.